New Delhi [India], July 29 (ANI): Union Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday hailed the remarkable success the country has made in its efforts in tiger conservation.

'With 58 reserves and 3,682 tigers, we have emerged as an example for the world in tiger conservation. Tiger conservation is not just about saving the species. Their rising numbers also symbolise the health of the forests they inhabit. Let us pledge to protect our tigers and their ecosystems which also support livelihood opportunities for communities,' the minister said on his social media platform X.

The International Tiger Day is observed globally on July 29 every year to preserve tigers' natural habitats and raise public awareness and support for conservation efforts worldwide.

Speaking to ANI, he said, 'Under the leadership of PM Modi, the number of Tiger Reserves in our country was 47 in 2014, and it is now 58. We have not only increased the number of tigers under the leadership of the PM, but along with the number of tigers, we have also expanded their reserve area.'

Yadav also mentioned the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and said, '...Under his (PM Modi) leadership, India is moving ahead with the International Big Cat Alliance. By connecting 97 countries worldwide through IBCA, we are advancing our work in capacity building, eco-tourism, biodiversity protection, conservation, and knowledge sharing. Protecting our natural heritage alongside development is also our responsibility.'

On the occasion of International Tiger Day this year, a week-long exhibition has been organised at the Delhi Zoo. On this, Yadav stated that awareness and consciousness regarding nature are important among school students.

Yadav said, 'We are not only informing the children in schools about tigers by calling them, but also through this exhibition, while we are working to create a sense of consciousness towards nature in their minds by visiting our tribal culture and the Delhi Zoo.'

He also emphasised the importance of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and said, 'Today, under the 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam' campaign, we have planted 2 lakh trees simultaneously across all 58 Tiger Reserves...good nurseries will be built to move this campaign forward'

Speaking on the green Aravali movement, he added, 'On 5th June in Delhi, the PM had resolved that we will promote the green Aravali. And that is why we will establish good nurseries in the 29 districts of the green Aravali, which will cultivate native trees.'

Yadav today virtually inaugurated three nurseries in Delhi and stated that they will establish good nurseries in all 29 districts and advance the green Aravali movement.

According to the National Tiger Reserve Authority, 'The overall tiger population in India was estimated at 2,967 (SE range 2,603 to 3,346). Out of this, 83% were actually camera trapped individual tigers and 87% were accounted for by camera-trap based capture-mark-recapture and remaining 13% estimated through covariate based models. Tigers were observed to be increasing at a rate of 6% per annum in India when consistently sampled areas were compared from 2006 to 2018.'

The declaration to celebrate this day was made on July 29, 2010, in St. Petersburg, aiming to unite all tiger range countries in a concerted effort to enhance tiger conservation and management worldwide.

This day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by these magnificent creatures and the efforts being made to safeguard their future. (ANI)